Cap for a fence picket and picket combination therewith

ABSTRACT

A picket cap is provided for a fence picket, wherein the cap has an exterior upper portion and a shank. The shank has slotted openings, generally vertically disposed, extending part way up the shank, for adding flexibility and facilitating the insertion of the shank into a hollow end of a picket. The shank also has friction ribs, generally vertically disposed, for facilitating an interference fit when the shank of the cap is inserted into a hollow end of a picket. The upper exterior of the cap can align with the exterior surfaces of the picket into which the shank of the cap is inserted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the construction of fences, it has become commonplace that fenceswill comprise a plurality of generally parallel horizontal upper andlower rails, with generally vertical fence posts supporting the rails,spaced apart from each other horizontally, and with a plurality ofpickets disposed between adjacent fence posts, such pickets generallybeing vertically arranged and connecting upper and lower fence rails.

For aesthetic purposes, caps are provided for the upper ends of thepickets, to give desirable ornamental appearances to the pickets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing a picket cap adapted forapplication to the hollow end of a fence picket, wherein an exterior andsomewhat larger cap portion carries a shank, the shank being insertableinto a hollow end of a picket. The shank includes a skirt having slottedopenings extending upwardly from the lower end of the skirt, dividingthe lower end of the skirt into skirt segments. A plurality of generallyvertical friction ribs are provided on the exterior of the skirt, whichextend radially outwardly and provide a means for frictionally grippingthe skirt into a hollow end of a picket in which it is inserted. Theslotted openings provide lateral flexibility to the lower end of theskirt when the skirt is pressed into the hollow end of a picket.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel capadapted for application to a hollow end of a fence picket.

It is a further object of this invention to accomplish the above object,wherein the picket cap includes a shank having generally verticallydisposed slotted openings and generally vertically disposed frictionribs, for facilitating the pressing of the shank into a hollow end of apicket and for facilitating frictionally gripping the hollow end of thepicket by the friction ribs, upon inserting the shank into the picket.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel combinationof a picket cap in accordance with any of the objects discussed above,with a fence picket.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent upon a reading of the following brief descriptions of thedrawing figures, the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments,and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a pyramidal configured picket cap inaccordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the picket cap illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the picket cap illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary illustration of a portion of theshank of the picket cap illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the picket cap illustrated in FIG. 2,which is rotated 45° from the illustration of FIG. 2, either to the leftor to the right, whereby slotted openings on opposite sides of the shankof the picket cap are in front-to-back alignment.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the picket cap illustrated inFIG. 5, taken generally along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is horizontal sectional view, taken through the shank of thepicket cap of this invention, generally along the line VII-VII of FIG.5.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the picket cap of FIG. 2, disposed in thehollow end of a picket, with the picket being fragmentally illustratedin foreshortened manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to FIG. 1, the picket cap is generally indicated bythe numeral 20, as being pyramidal in configuration, and including fourpyramid-forming surfaces 21, 22, 23 and 24, terminating in a roundedapex 25 at the upper end, and in generally vertically disposed sidesurfaces 26, 27, 28 and 29 at its lower end, as shown.

The picket cap thus includes an exterior cap portion 30 and a shank capportion 31.

The shank cap portion 31 has a generally cylindrical exterior andinterior configuration defined by surfaces 32 and 33, and has a verticalheight extending from the lower end 34 of the picket cap portion 30 tothe lower end 35 of the shank portion 31.

A plurality of generally vertically disposed slotted openings,preferably four in number, 36, 37, 40 and 41 extend from the lower end35 of the shank portion, in a direction vertically upwardly, to adistance of about half the height of the shank portion 31, toward theexterior cap-portion 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

On the outer cylindrical surface 32 of the shank portion 31, there areprovided a plurality of generally vertically disposed friction ribs 42,integral with the shank portion 31, and extending generally radiallyoutwardly of the skirt portion 31. The friction ribs, when inserted intothe hollow upper end 42 of a generally vertically disposed picket 43,engage against the generally hollow cylindrical inner diameter 44 of thepicket 43, gripping the same in an interference fit, to prevent readyrotation of the picket cap 30 relative to the picket post 43, and toprevent ready removal therefrom. The friction fit provided by thefriction ribs 42, in their interference fit in the hollow upper end 42of a picket 43 prevents the picket cap from twisting or rotating out ofits designed position relative to the picket, as shown in FIG. 8 suchthat, if it did twist out of position, the rectangularly configuredcorners of the cap might be disposed over flat vertical surface portionsof the picket such that the cap might then be readily removed from thepicket. In accordance with the interference fit of the friction ribs inthe hollow upper end of the picket in accordance with this invention,that twisting or rotation is avoided.

The slotted openings 36, 37, 40, 41 provide lateral flexibility to thelower end of the skirt portion 31, when the same is inserted into theupper end 42 of a picket 43, to provide ease of initial insertion of theshank portion 31 of the cap 20 into the upper end of the picket 43.

With reference to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the periphery of theexterior cap portion, as defined by surfaces 26, 27, 28 and 29 alignwith the four exterior surfaces (unnumbered) of the generally verticallydisposed picket 43, such that the sides of the picket and the sides ofthe lower end of the exterior of the picket are in alignment, to givethe appearance of a unitary member, as viewed from the exterior.

In accordance with all of the foregoing, the present invention thusprovides an ability to have a press fit of the cap that grips the hollowinterior of the post, by means of the shank having flexibility at itslower end, due to the vertical slotted openings, but wherein thefriction ribs provide a tight interference fit, resisting accidental orcasual removal of the cap from the picket.

Also, with reference to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the picket 43 maybe constructed of an interior layer 46, and an exterior skin 47, ifdesired. The skin 47 may, for example, be comprised of a polypropylenematerial, and the interior layer 46 may be comprised of a combinationpolypropylene and glass fiber material, with the glass fiber beingintended to add strength to the picket. Alternatively, the picket 43 maybe comprised of other materials as may be desired. The cap 20 willpreferably be molded of a thermoplastic material, such a polypropylene,as may be desired. Alternatively, the cap may be comprised of othermaterials, preferably molded and of unitary construction.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that various modifications may bemade in the details of construction, as well as in the use and operationof the present invention, all within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A picket cap adapted for application to a hollow end of a fencepicket, comprising: (a) an exterior cap portion of a first outerhorizontal cross-sectional size, adapted for placement against anoutside end of a hollow picket; (b) a shank cap portion, carried by theexterior cap portion and being of a second outer horizontalcross-sectional size, less than said first outer horizontalcross-sectional size and adapted for placement inside the hollow end ofa picket; (c) said shank cap portion having a skirt of a first verticalheight between the exterior cap portion and a lower end of the skirt capportion; (d) said shank cap portion having a plurality of generallyvertical slotted openings of a second vertical height, extendingupwardly from the lower end of the skirt cap portion toward saidexterior cap portion, but less than the full vertical height of saidskirt cap portion, and dividing the lower end of the skirt cap portioninto skirt segments; (e) said slotted openings comprising meansproviding lateral flexibility to the lower end of said skirt cap portionwhen said skirt cap portion is pressed into the hollow end of a picket;and (f) said shank cap portion having a plurality of generally verticalfriction ribs protruding generally radially outwardly of said skirt capportion and comprising means for frictionally gripping the hollow insideof a picket into which the skirt cap portion is inserted.
 2. The picketcap of claim 1, wherein the slotted openings extend to approximatelyhalf the height of the skirt cap portion.
 3. The picket cap of claim 1,wherein the friction ribs extend substantially over the full height ofthe skirt cap portion.
 4. The picket cap of claim 1, wherein the shankcap portion comprises a cylindrical sleeve.
 5. The picket cap of claim1, wherein the shank cap portion has four said slotted openings.
 6. Thepicket cap of claim 1, wherein each skirt segment includes a frictionrib.
 7. The picket cap of claim 1, wherein the external cap portion hasan upper surface of generally pyramidal configuration.
 8. The picket capof claim 1, wherein said friction ribs provide means resisting twistingof the cap out of position when the shank cap portion is inserted intothe hollow inside of a picket.
 9. The picket cap of claim 1, wherein theslotted openings extend to approximately half the height of the skirtcap portion, wherein the friction ribs extend substantially over thefull height of the skirt cap portion, wherein said friction ribs providemeans resisting twisting of the cap out of position when the shank capportion is inserted into the hollow inside of a picket, wherein theshank cap portion comprises a cylindrical sleeve, wherein the shank capportion has four said slotted openings and wherein each skirt segmentincludes a friction rib.
 10. The picket cap of claim 9, wherein theexternal cap portion has an upper surface of generally pyramidalconfiguration.
 11. The combination of a picket cap and a fence picket,wherein the picket cap comprises: (a) an exterior cap portion of a firstouter horizontal cross-sectional size, adapted for placement against anoutside end of a hollow picket; (b) a shank cap portion, carried by theexterior cap portion and being of a second outer horizontalcross-sectional size, less than said first outer horizontalcross-sectional size and adapted for placement inside the hollow end ofa picket; (c) said shank cap portion having a skirt of a first verticalheight between the exterior cap portion and a lower end of the skirt capportion; (d) said shank cap portion having a plurality of generallyvertical slotted openings of a second vertical height, extendingupwardly from the lower end of the skirt cap portion toward saidexterior cap portion, but less than the full vertical height of saidskirt cap portion, and dividing the lower end of the skirt cap portioninto skirt segments; (e) said slotted openings comprising meansproviding lateral flexibility to the lower end of said skirt cap portionwhen said skirt cap portion is pressed into the hollow end of a picket;(f) said shank cap portion having a plurality of generally verticalfriction ribs protruding generally radially outwardly of said skirt capportion and comprising means for frictionally gripping the hollow insideof a picket into which the skirt cap portion is inserted; and whereinthe picket is provided with a hollow end; wherein the friction ribs ofthe shank cap portion are sized to fit into the hollow end in aninterference fit when inserted therein.
 12. The combination of a picketcap and fence picket of claim 11, wherein the exterior cap portion ofthe picket cap has a horizontal cross-sectional size and configurationthat is essentially the same horizontal cross-sectional size andconfiguration as the outer surface of the picket end into which theshank cap portion of the picket cap is inserted.
 13. The combination ofclaim 11, wherein the slotted openings extend to approximately half theheight of the skirt cap portion.
 14. The combination of claim 11,wherein the friction ribs extend substantially over the full height ofthe skirt cap portion.
 15. The combination of claim 11, wherein theshank cap portion comprises a cylindrical sleeve.
 16. The combination ofclaim 11, wherein the shank cap portion has four said slotted openings.17. The combination of claim 11, wherein each skirt segment includes afriction rib.
 18. The combination of claim 11, wherein the external capportion has an upper surface of generally pyramidal configuration. 19.The combination of claim 11, wherein said friction ribs provide meansresisting twisting of the cap out of position when the shank cap portionis inserted into the hollow inside of a picket.
 20. The combination ofclaim 11, wherein the slotted openings extend to approximately half theheight of the skirt cap portion, wherein the friction ribs extendsubstantially over the full height of the skirt cap portion, whereinsaid friction ribs provide means resisting twisting of the cap out ofposition when the shank cap portion is inserted into the hollow insideof a picket, wherein the shank cap portion comprises a cylindricalsleeve, wherein the shank cap portion has four said slotted openings,wherein each skirt segment includes a friction rib and wherein theexterior cap portion of the picket cap has a horizontal cross-sectionalsize and configuration that is essentially the same horizontalcross-sectional size and configuration as the outer surface of thepicket end into which the shank cap portion of the picket cap isinserted.
 21. The combination of claim 20, wherein the external capportion has an upper surface of generally pyramidal configuration.